The main reason for that is for 30 years Junction Reefs has been officially closed, although during summer the area around the historic dam on the Belubula River near Mandurama has seen a few visitors breaching the fencing.

The good news now is that the Junction Reefs Crown Reserve is now open for the community to enjoy, guilt free and without needing to jimmy open a gate.

Also known as Belubula Dam, Junction Reefs Dam is a heritage-listed former mining dam designed and built by Oscar Shulze in 1896-7 to provide water and power to the nearby gold mine.

The dam was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999 and it was the first multi-arched dam to be built in Australia, and is unique to New South Wales.

For those interested in historic engineering it is a marvellous structure, for everyone else though it's a tremendous place to enjoy a day out by the river.

Member for Bathurst Paul Toole said that he was pleased that OceanaGold, NSW Crown Lands and the Junction Reefs Land Manager Board were able to negotiate a Deed of Access to allow the community to come onto the Junction Reefs Reserve.

"I want pay tribute to the Land Manager Board for progressing public access to the site," Mr Toole said.

"OceanaGold also deserves a pat on the back for negotiating the deed of access to the site and in so allowing the public access after 30 years of closure.

"I am looking forward to the official opening once the current COVID situation is brought under control.

"In the meantime, the public can now gain access to the Belubula River Dam, the waterfall and use the newly constructed toilet block and picnic table at the viewing area."

Deputy Chair Junction Reefs Land Manager and Blayney councillor Bruce Reynolds joined Paul Toole for a tour of the dam, and said that thanks to NSW Government funding of $23,480, grids have now been installed at the entrance to Junction Reefs and Bakers Shaft Reserves which allows for easier access to both sites.

Fencing has also been installed around the new toilet block to stop cattle from causing damage.

"You can gain access off Bakers Road which comes off Burnt Yards Road," he said.

"The public is asked not to go onto the southern side of the Belubula River or into fenced off areas that are clearly signposted."

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